Nevada County picayune., 1887-08-03

"Well donev exclaimed Mrs. Ransome, as they rode homeward. "Iou nave made conquest of Mir. Keyne, Florry! saw him look daggers at every other man who danced with you .although he had secured five waltzes for him. self And if you could have heard the jealous comments of the girls who have been breaking their hearts over him, it would have de- lighted you, l am sure! I feel proud of you, my dear!' and she tapped Florry's flushed sheek with a gracious air.
 But Florry shrunk back into a corner and made no answer. To her the glaze face and dissipated air of Mr. Keyne were peculiarly abhorrent. while the look of bold admiration, mingled with a strange. ly sinister gleam, that she had de. tected in his eyes, filled her with d sensation akin toterror.
 The next day, when rest had given more courage. she velItured to impart these misgiyings to her aunt.
 "Nonsensew exclaimed Mrs. Ransome, sharply; ''he has the best establishment and the finest hor- seS of any bachelor in the city. l tell you, Florry, have set my heart upon your making thls matchc
 And Florry soon found that what her aunt Barbara dcnOmilated her heart was simply selfish and in- flexible will that would brook no resistance.
 Dazzlcd for awhile by the pict- ure of a wedding in Grace Church with bridesmaids, flowers. wed- ding tour and every accessory, FlOrry tried to conquer her aver. sion. to accept the easy code of morals held up before her. and be willing to barter her youth and beauty for the wealth and social position a marriage with MT. Keyne would afford her.
 But in vain; her naturally pure and innocent spirit recoiled with Increasing horror and loathing from his open admiration and per. sistent attentions. .
 The months slipped along, and Florry began to feel as if she were being drawn into a vortex from which there was no escape. Fl. nally, on the morning before the closing entertainment of the sea- son, Mrs. RansOme entered her niece's apartment with il peculiar lp iorbidding expression Of cOun- tenance, HtH. .u.. ...
 "There must be an end tO this childish caprice, Florry" she said. "Mr K"Ane and I-have waited long enough. You have cOmpro- missed yourself and me by accept ing his continued attentions; and you owe it to me and to the socie- ty into winch I have introduced you at so much personal expense, to give MT. Keyne, to night, the promise for which he has waited so long and patiently. Any other can only involve you and me in disgrace and there has been enough of that in your family"
 She swept from the room with. out an"ther word. But for that last speech, Florry might have al- lowed herself to be drawn under the iron will of the fashionable woman; but for once Aunt Barba- ra had overreached herself. That parting shot pierced to the girls very heart of hearts, ana imbued it with new life and power.
 "Better share such disgrace as my mother brought, than the so' cial distinction l must purchase al the price of principle and honor,' she exclaimed at last, raising her eyes wet with the rain of tears that had cleared her brain, and purified her heart. ''lS this the destiny for which have exchang. ed peaceful home, a worthy, honorable love? Dear Jack! this is the fate against which he warn cd me. l will go back to my home: dare l hope that it will be to him also.
 With Florry to resolve was la act. She knew her aunt was out shopping, and would be absent several hours-her last, her only respite. Packing what she could